Lancang River

Yes, the Lancang River is the Chinese name for the upper portion of the Mekong River. It flows for about 2,161 kilometers through the Chinese provinces of Qinghai, Tibet, and Yunnan before crossing into Southeast Asia.

The river officially becomes the Mekong when it flows out of China's Yunnan province and into Myanmar and Laos. Throughout its journey in China, it traverses dramatic, deep gorges and mountainous terrain.

The river features a massive cascade of hydroelectric dams built by China to generate power, known collectively as the Lancang River dams. These dams have been a source of international controversy due to their environmental impact on the downstream Mekong nations.

In China, the river flows through the rugged mountains of the Hengduan range, forming deep parallel gorges alongside other major rivers. This dramatic topography makes it incredibly rich in biodiversity but very difficult to navigate.